The Port of San Diego and its tenants have taken significant steps to become better environmental stewards through sustainable business practices.

The port has become a leader in environmental innovation through its Green Port Program and Climate Action Plan, which were both showcased in its annual Green Port Year in Review for Fiscal Year 2014.

The report was released at the Climate Action Plan Workshop on September 16, 2014. The report shows how the port and its tenant businesses decrease waste, reduce emissions and conserve water and energy around San Diego Bay.

The annual report coincides with Green Port Month, which takes place during the month of September. The Port of San Diego's Green Port Program integrates environmental sustainability principles into business decisions, development and operations.

The Green Port Program has saved the agency more than $2.6 million in energy and water conservation since 2008.

"The port takes its responsibilities as a trustee of public lands seriously. We want to ensure the beauty and usability of the tidelands for generations to come," said Cody Hooven, the port's Senior Environmental Specialist. "We do our best to lead by example when it comes to sustainable practices."

Some of the ways the port is "walking the talk" are demonstrated in results from its own operations:

• A 42 percent reduction in water use compared to 2008.
• A 16 percent reduction in electricity use compared to 2008.A carbon footprint that is 22 percent smaller compared to 2008.
• About 414,000 square feet of port-managed turf replaced with water-wise landscaping.
• Twenty-two Big Belly solar trash and recycling compactors installed in parks and open spaces at the port.
• More than 27 tons of waste recycled from port operations, which is the equivalent of 33 families' annual waste production.

The port also works in partnership with its tenants to increase sustainability within the port's entire jurisdiction. Some of these joint efforts include having waterfront visitor shuttles that run on compressed natural gas, installing energy efficient equipment and providing shore power to cruise and container vessels.